Chapter 87: Fire and Fury

Snow fell across Harry's face as he exited the carriage. The town of Hogsmeade looked like a Christmas card like it always did around this time of the year.

"Alright, so we're agreed?" Daphne's voice broke him out of his reverie. "In an hour we'll meet at the Three Broomsticks?"

"See you then," Hermione said. "Tracey? You going to tag along?"

"Sure," she shrugged. "As long as we can we stop by Zonko's?"

"Oh that sounds like fun," Luna piped up. "Zonko's is always so colorful. I love the sounds their shelves make.

"And I am officially hanging with you this weekend," Tracy looped her arm through Luna's elbow. "Lead on, Ms. Lovegood."

Down the street, Daphne led Harry to a Hardwicks Formal Outfitters. Opening the door, she escorted Harry inside. The shop smelled like polish and old wood; of wool and tobacco. An old wizard bustled from out of the back after hearing the door chime.

"May I help you?" the man looked at them over the top of his glasses.

"Good morning," Daphne curtsied slightly. "My friend here is looking for new dress robes."

"I already have some," Harry protested. "I thought we were just looking for something minor."

"You have a few sets, yes," Daphne looked over her shoulder and scowled. "However, I talked with Winky and learned what she will be doing for your date's dress. You'll need something considerably nicer. I'm thinking something in a navy or royal."

"Excellent ideas," the man said. "If you could tell me what style you are looking for, we can get your friend measured and start making the robes."

"I think I'd like to go formal," Daphne walked across the styles, appraising Harry as she walked. "Harry has a lean build and I want something just a little tighter to show that off."

"Would you like to have a cape with this?" The man asked.

"Yes!" Harry liked the idea

"No," Daphne shot it down. Looking back at him she smiled slightly. "No capes. There's too much of a risk of them dragging through something, getting caught, or just simply being stepped upon. You'd look like Lockhart with dark hair."

That sobered Harry instantly.

"No, I think we'll go without the cape," Daphne instructed.

"Very well," the man who introduced himself as Warwick, nodded. "Step up young lad and let's get you measured."

Harry stepped up onto the platform and a tape measure, much like the one Ollivander used all those years ago, zipped up and down his body, getting far more intimate than he honestly appreciated.

"So you said navy or purple?" Warwick asked Daphne.

"Yes," Daphne said. "Either Blue with silver or purple with subtle yellow accents."

"By all means, dress me up," Harry said, his voice sarcastic. "Just let me know when I can move and speak again."

"I'll let you know," Daphne deadpanned. "I just want to narrow down the choices and see which you prefer."

"Alright," Warwick tapped the lapels on the robes, turning the robes purple and gold. "There's the first choice."

"I don't love the gold," Harry said honestly. "If we went with purple, I'd prefer to have grey accents."

"Agreed," Daphne said. "Unfortunately gray would not work with Hermione's dress."

"Here is the navy and silver," Warwick tapped the lapel again.

"Oh that's nice," Daphne smiled. "Very nice."

"I love it," Harry ran his hands along the silver accents. "It feels great and the silver adds detail."

"The navy is great," Daphne's eyes lit up. "You'll look fantastic. There's just one more thing if you're willing…"

"What are you thinking?" Harry warily asked as he paid for the robes.

"Come on," Daphne pushed him out of the shop.

Back in the Three Broomsticks, Luna held court at a table.

"So the Fuzzings and the Blizzbangs eventually decided to make an alliance," Luna said. "Their peace brought out the Fuzzings color and the Blizzbangs noise. And that's how fireworks were created."

Tracey laughed uproariously at Luna's story while Hermione and Parvati rolled their eyes. Ginny and Lavender chuckled along while Neville and Hannah merely beamed along with Greg and Vinny. At the other end of the table, Fleur had no idea if what Luna said had any truth yet she appreciated her conviction in saying it.

"I love your stories, Luna," Tracey said. "Say Luna…

"Where is Harry?" Ginny glanced around. "Daphne's sure taking her sweet time with him. You're not feeling threatened at all are you, Hermione?"

Hermione shook her head as a bug buzzed close to her ear, smiling at Ginny's attempt at humor.

"Not one bit," Hermione said. "Daphne's just getting him ready for the ball. They'll be along once they're done."

The door swung open as if on cue, and a chill invaded the tavern. A figure blocked the light flooding through the doorway and chatter began again as everyone took in the figure at the door. Hermione gasped when she realized who it was. Harry's normally wild hair was cut close at the back and on the sides and his bangs trimmed just above his eyebrows. The style itself was messy but also tidy, giving his hair a composed look.

"Harry!" Hermione called him over to the group. "Wow… you look… wow."

"Pay up, Potter," Daphne, who Hermione just now noticed, piped up.

"Yeah, yeah," Harry palmed five galleons and slapped them into Daphne's outstretched hand.

"What was the bet?" Tracey asked.

"Harry thought Hermione wouldn't care for the new style," Daphne said. "I bet him she'd like it so much she'd lose the ability to form complete sentences."

"Did you really think I wouldn't react?" Hermione asked earnestly.

"You've never really cared about my hair," Harry shrugged.

"I care about you, Harry," Hermione said. "If you want to change something, especially if it looks this good, I am all for it. Your new style really shows off your eyes and looks carelessly windswept, like you just got done flying. I want you to be happy and that includes with happy with the way you look. You are happy right?

"I am," Harry admitted as he sat next to her. "I was skeptical at first but I really like it. Now let's just hope it sticks."

"Why wouldn't it stick?" Hannah cocked her head to the side, perplexed.

"Before Hogwarts, I had more haircuts than anyone in my grade, each one more severe than the next," Harry said. "The next day, my hair would grow back to its original state. My aunt shaved my head, leaving only enough to cover my scar."

"Sounds hot," Tracey said. When Harry looked at her in amazement, she shrugged. "In an emo kind of way."

"Well in any case I was so terrified of what the students would do when I showed up the next day," Harry said. "My aunt was furious when my hair grew back yet again."

Harry let out an involuntary shudder to which Hermione soothingly rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand. Around the table, reactions ranged from aghast to infuriated.

"I know it's bad form to speak ill of the dead," Neville growled. "But I am glad you don't have to deal with those… people… ever again."

"Anyway," Harry shrugged the topic off. "Back to the original point, hopefully, we didn't just waste money on a haircut that'll be undone in a day."

"Well, you like the new style, right?" Daphne asked rhetorically.

"Yes," Harry relented after hesitating. "I admit I didn't like the idea but yes I do like it."

"Well maybe getting a haircut that suits you," Daphne postulated. "One that you actually like, will keep your magic from fighting back."

"We'll see," Harry said.

"Did you find some dress robes as well?" Hermione asked.

"Oh yes," Harry couldn't hold back his smile. "And I'm told it will match the dress Winky is making for you."

"Winky iz your elf, oui?" Fleur asked to this point she had been largely silent, stuck to simply observing the group.

"Yes," Hermione said. "We took her in after her family abandoned her. When I couldn't find the right dress, she said she would make one for me."

"Do you think she would do ze same for me?" Fleur asked. "Ze dress I brought, eet is too light for zis climate. I need somezing else and the shops are too limited."

"You'd have to ask her," Hermione said. "She works for me but I'm not going to order her to do something she doesn't want to do. Winky?"

Winky popped in again, bowing deeply.

"Winky would be honored," she said. "Winky has been hoping you would ask. I is having the most incredible idea for you. I will get to making it."

"Considering she'll be making you a dress," Hermione suggested. "Would you like to get ready for the ball together? Everyone here would be welcome, the ladies that is."

"Zat sounds like fun," Fleur said. "Luna, why do you look so sad?"

Try and she might, Luna looked downcast at the table, her fingernails picking at the table.

"Well everyone here is going to the ball. It sounds like so much fun and I hate that I'm going to miss it."

Luna kept her eyes down, her voice sad. When a hand landed on hers, she looked up.

"Luna," Tracey's dark eyes bored into Luna's silvery blue. "Would you go to the ball with me?"

"Really?" Luna's eyes nearly bulged out of her head. "You don't think it'd be too weird to have me as a date?"

"I'm counting on it,' Tracey beamed. "I love weird. The weirder you are, the better life is."

"Yes," Luna said. "I'd love to go with you. But I need to find a dress. On such short notice too."

"Excuse me, miss," Winky popped in. "If you would want, I would gladly make a dress for you as well."

"Oh that would be lovely," Luna smiled at the elf. "I will love whatever you make for me."

"Just don't work yourself too hard," Hermione ordered. "I don't want you working yourself to the bone trying to make everyone's evening perfect."

"Oh it will not be an issue," Winky said. " Your dress is finished and I have the Flower dress mostly done. I was hoping to offer it to her, actually."

"By the way, Fleur," Harry abruptly changed the subject. "Have you figured out the egg yet?"

"Oui," Fleur seemed unconcerned. "Zey are going to put somezing I love at ze bottom of ze lake for me to retrieve."

"Okay so you figured out the clue," Harry said. "However, there are two things. One, there is a whole colony of merfolk at the bottom of the lake. Two, I don't think it's something, I think it's someone."

"Ha ha, 'Arry," Fleur smirked. "Very funny. A good prank worthy of zhose twins you hang around."

When she looked around the table, nobody was laughing. At Hermione's confirming nod, Fleur paled and then reddened.

"Connards!" Fleur shouted, pushed back from the table, and sprinted for the door. On the other side of the tavern, Roger excused himself from his friends while Harry's group chased after her.

As they caught up to her, she let out a fireball from her hands, singing a tree near the Shrieking Shack.

"Fleur!" Daphne shouted. "Calm yourself before you burn down the shack. Harry didn't tell you so you would be furious; he wanted you to be prepared. He knows water is your weakness and that Veela and Merfolk have a long-standing rival. We're already planning to talk with Professor Dumbledore regarding the hostages' safety but we wanted to let you know specifically since this task will be the toughest for you to prepare."

"Zhen let's go talk to zis Dumbly-dorre," Fleur fumed. "I will not have my seesta 'armed by zhese..."

Whatever Fleur called them, Harry was sure it was a very colorful French metaphor.

"Your sister?" Roger asked aloud, his blonde eyebrows drooping into a scowl.

"Dobby," Harry called out. "Can you find Professor Dumbledore and Madam Maxime and ask them to come to Hagrid's hut?"

"Of course, Harry," Dobby popped out.

"Fleur! look at me," Harry grabbed the Veela by the shoulders. "I promise we'll figure something out."

As the group arrived at Hagrid's hut, they found Hagrid sitting in front of a fire, cooking some sort of meat.

"'Arry! "Ermione!" The man beamed. "How can I help yer?"

At that moment, Dumbledore flamed in with the help of Fawkes.

"Ah Harry," Dumbledore smiled warmly. "Dobby said you wished to speak?"

"We've figured out the second task," Harry said. "That is to say, we've figured it is who they intend to take."

"As always your instincts are good, Harry," Dumbledore smiled wanly as he conjured a chair for all to sit, though none but Dumbledore took it.

"Stow it," Harry said. "I don't need compliments; I need to know how you intend to keep the hostages safe underwater."

"They wouldn'!" Hagrid's beetle-black eyes widened. He looked to Dumbledore, wishing the man to tell him it was a joke. "They couldn'!"

Dumbledore's smile dropped into a serious look.

"I tried talking the organizers off using the Black Lake for the task. I suggested we use the mountains instead but Igor, Barty and Ludo thought the lake was more 'compelling.'

"I will personally be putting the chosen four under enchanted sleep spells with a bubblehead charm. They won't be under any harm."

"That's not good enough," Harry said heatedly. "Can we get a mirror made to show each hostage so you at the surface will know if anything goes wrong? They're not part of the task so the Goblet won't see pulling them out as a violation of the contract."

"Wise thoughts," Dumbledore leaned on his hands, his brow furrowed. "I will contact Sirius and ask about making more mirrors. Would also allow the task to be viewed rather than the spectators staring at a lake for an hour."

"What about ze merfolk?" Fleur said. "Will zhey react to a Veela being in their territory?"

I have spoken with the Merchief," Dumbledore met Fleur's fiery expression. "He is aware of your heritage and he and his clan have vowed not to harm you so long as you don't harm any of the members of his village."

"And what of my sister?" Fleur crossed her arms and leveled the headmaster with a glare. "Will they do anyzing to her?"

"Wasn't aware your sister would be a part of the task," Dumbledore actually looked shocked.

"She iz ze most important zhing in my life," Fleur shouted. "I would anyzhing to protect her."

"So that's why Bagman wanted to invite your family for the task," Dumbledore grimaced. "I apologize Miss Delacour. I was not aware of what they were intending to do."

"Outrageous," Hagrid's booming voice was most assuredly heard up in Ravenclaw tower. "They can't do that!"

"I'm sure the idea of a Veela rescuing her sister from their mortal enemies sounded 'interesting' to the organizers," Dumbledore grumbled. "I give you my word, I will not put an eight-year-old girl at the bottom of that lake. We will need to find an alternative."

"I volunteer," Roger said, causing every head to snap to him. "I'm Fleur's date for the ball so it will make some sense. I volunteer to be your hostage, Fleur."

"Zhank you," Fleur hugged the Ravenclaw boy. "Zhank you."

"Since we already have one volunteer," Harry said. "We should probably do the same for the other champion's hostages. Permission should be granted by both the hostage and their guardians if they're not of age."

"Agreed," Dumbledore nodded. "After the fiasco with the dragon, I have made the safety of the participants my chief concern. Just keep training and pay attention to anything odd. We still don't know who put your name in, nor their purpose in doing so."

"While we're here, talking about this," Hermione piped up. "I will volunteer to be Harry's hostage. Now we just need to find a way for Harry to survive underwater for an hour."

"I'm sure you'll find the solution," Dumbledore smiled. "There are so many books on the topic that are a wonderful gift toward helping you achieve your goals."

Most people thought the exchange was odd but as Dumbledore smiled at Harry and Hermione, Neville slapped his forehead.

"Of course," Neville shouted. "Oh…. Sorry. We'll talk later."

"In the meantime," Dumbledore addressed Fleur. "Since I am not your headmistress, I can impart a little knowledge. Veelas and Phoenixes are very similar. They both have avian roots, and are creatures of fire and air. Phoenixes also hate the water so Fawkes has learned to control his flame aura to coat his body. It's how he survives the colder climate. I believe your mother or grandmother might be helpful to you to teach you something similar. Now, it is almost dinner and I have to make an announcement while everyone is present. Thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention. If you should need anything in the future, my office is open. Just bring Root Beer Barrels with you. Oh, and before I go, Miss Lovegood if you could hold off publishing anything until after the task? Just let everyone know whose idea this task was if you please would?"

"I'll quote it as coming from an anonymous source," Luna nodded.

"Excellent," Dumbledore stood. "See you in the Great Hall."

Once Dumbledore walked away, Fleur relaxed.

"Zhank you, all of you," Fleur said. "I am sorry for my outburst."

"I had a similar outburst when I found out," Harry said.

"Oh no," Luna said. "Yours was positively tame compared to his, Fleur."

"Just keep your head and focus on the task at hand," Daphne said. "You've got friends; use them."

"I do now, at least," Fleur smiled sadly. "It's ironic that I had to travel to another country to find friends."

"Well wherever you found them, don't let them go," Hannah added. "Friends are worth all the gold in Gringotts."

"Here, here," Hagrid said. "If yer need anything, I am always here. Especially when it comes to creatures in the Black Lake. I want yer all whole by the end of this ruddy thing."

"Come on, we should tell the other champions what we've found," Susan said.

In the Great Hall, Viktor sat across from Harry absorbing what the others were telling him.

"I vondered vhy my headmaster was so helpful for this task," Krum said. "He knew from the beginning. Don't vorry, I vill keep my head. Though ve vill probably have to sedate Iris so she doesn't follow me during the task."

As the three champions talked about strategies for keeping the hostages safe, Susan and Hannah could be seen in deep discussions with Cedric. When dessert was winding down, Dumbledore stood.

"Sorry to interrupt," Dumbledore said. "There's been a late change to the Yule Ball. Initially, we had booked the Weird Sisters to play after the formal dances. However, Elphaba has contracted Dragon Flu and will not be able to make the journey. As such, we scrambled and found someone to play the Ball. I can't announce who it will be but I am sure you will love who we found."

(A/N: I'm borrowing a bit that Gandalf's Beard does where he'll have an actual artist play the Yule Ball. Eager to get to the ball to reveal who it will be. This chapter changed a lot during revisions. Initially, I had Harry telling Fleur at dinner during the Yule ball but him holding onto information that could harm someone is very much not him. Plus, it allowed Roger to volunteer so that Gabrielle isn't used as a hostage which was, honestly, a terrible idea to begin with. First, have Harry, a minor, put into the tournament. Then, have three hostages that are also minors and then a girl who isn't even old enough to attend any of the schools? Brilliant idea. Anyway, rant over.

I also wanted to show that even though Harry and Dumbledore are on better terms, there's still a lingering tension there.

Last, Harry getting a haircut is just a little commentary on the fourth movie where every single male character eschewed a haircut for that entire year, apparently.